Zander Murray has reflected on his coming out journey in a new interview.
Back in September 2022, the talented striker made history as the first Scottish senior football player to come out as gay.
“First, it feels like the weight of the world is now off my shoulders…It can be difficult, and you can feel very alone,” he said via the club’s website.
“I knew I was different for many years, but with other people in the game coming out, it’s been amazing.
“Hopefully, the SFA can work with other leagues and partners and look at support and drive how we help other players.”
Since coming out, Murray has continued to make waves in the football world with his LGBTQ+ activism and dynamic plays on the field.
In a recent interview with The Scottish Sun, the young athlete reflected on the past year and how his life has changed since opening up about sexuality.
“I’m learning how to be gay at 31. I had no gay education growing up or in school,” he revealed.
“I’m still getting there with it. It’s been so difficult for such a long period. I have been to such dark, dark places.”
While his journey has been full of ups and downs, Murray revealed to the publication that his football teammates have showered him with support.
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“The lads – my teammates and the opposition – they’re brilliant,” he explained.
“If I get any banter from them, it’s only about my fake tan. They’ll take the piss and tell me, ‘You’re never off the telly.’ It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I’m in such a good place.”
Towards the end of his interview, Murray delivered an inspiring message to footballers struggling with their identity.
“I don’t want to put any other footballer under pressure to come out, but if they are struggling, I can tell them, from my experience, it definitely helped,” he said.
“Being able to be yourself without limits lifts so much of the pressure.”
Murray’s wholesome update comes a few months after he released his BBC documentary Disclosure: Out on the Pitch.
Before its premiere, the talented footballer opened up to GAY TIMES about making the project– which he described as an “emotional” experience.
“It was very, very emotional. Some of it triggers you or just hits home, some things, or hearing what people are saying who you’re interviewing, because I interviewed people from all different levels, from people from the very top national level, the Scottish Football Association, which is like the FA, all down to – I want to give too much away – but LGBTQ+ sports teams who were talking about their personal stories,” he explained.
“Every interview, whatever story they’ve shared, I’m like, ‘I’ve been through that, and I can really relate to your struggle’. So many times I welled up, and one of the very, very last times was when I got emotional.”
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